GOA:
Goals from Phrangki Buam, Malsawmtluanga, Muhammed Nemil and Leewan Castanha helped the FC Goa Dev Team extend their unbeaten run in the Goa Professional League to three games, following their 4-1 win over Guardian Angel SC at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa on Friday.
The boys in Orange now have seven points from three matches, after having beaten Sporting Clube de Goa and drawn to Sesa Football Academy.
It did not take long for the Boys in Orange to cement their authority over the match, with Phrangki Buam opening the scoring in the 10th minute volleying home from within the six-yard box after some initial good work by Malsawmtluanga.
Following the goal, the Gaurs successfully raised the intensity of their attacks. Their next big chance came in the 24th minute, when Jovial Dias received a lovely ball from the right and attempted a shot on goal. The youngster, however, saw his effort being cleared away for a corner-kick.
Had it not been for a lack of bite in finishing, Cardozo’s boys could have increased their lead through Kunkalikar, Nemil and Velroy Fernandes who all fired wide off the target in the next 15 minutes.
As it turned out, FC Goa went on to regret not converting these chances, with their opponents equalizing in the 55th minute.
Joel Barretto of Guardian Angel did well to beat his marker and get into the penalty box, from where he headed the ball in off an inch-perfect cross from the right side. Following the change of ends, the Gaurs had started on a slow note, but the equalizer prompted them to raise the tempo once again.
They were rewarded for it in the 74th minute, when Malsawmtluanga scored his maiden goal for the ongoing season. A brilliant passage of play between Lalremruata HP and Nemil saw them beat several opposition players and ended with the latter playing the ball through to Malsawmtluanga, who found the back of the net with a calm and composed finish into the far post.
FC Goa’s third goal came in the 85th minute. Nemil won the ball with a timely challenge in the midfield and played it to Mevan Dias on the right flank, who then advanced into the final third before playing it back for the former to score.
Finally, substitute Leewan Fernandes rounded of the Gaurs’ victory with their fourth goal in the last minute of stoppage time.
Up next for the boys in Orange in the Goa Professional League is a clash against Vasco SC, on January 3. The match will be held at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa and is slated for a 3:45 pm kick-off.
FC Goa U17 side beat Churchill Brothers
In other news, the FC Goa U17 team played their third match in the Hero AIFF U17 Youth Cup, also on Friday. Likson Rebelo’s hat-trick, which is the first-ever by an FC Goa U17 player was the highlight of the game.
While it was Churchill Brothers that kick-started the clash, it did not take long for the Young Gaurs to regain possession of the ball and take control over the proceedings. Rebelo scored his first goal in the 7th minute itself, with a composed finish into the far post from the edge of the box.
At half-time, the scoresheet read 2-0 in favour of FC Goa by virtue of Rebelo’s second in the 42nd minute.
The youngster had a few chances to complete his hat-trick early in the second half, but was unfortunate not to get there till the 86th minute. The boys in Orange now have four points from three matches in the tournament, having previously drawn 3-3 to ARA FC before losing 2-0 to Bengaluru FC.
